Fraser gives optimistic review of action taken in 81st Legislature

State Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, recounts the highs and lows of the legislative session that ended last week.

Video by Sarah Kleiner Varble

Sen. Troy Fraser
District 24

With the close of the 81st Legislature last week in Austin, Troy Fraser (R-Horseshoe Bay) called the session a "success" at a news conference Tuesday morning in his Abilene office.

Texas passed a balanced budget for the state with a tax decrease, he said. Additionally, a $9 billion surplus exists in the Rainy Day Fund.

"Instead of increasing taxes, we did just the opposite," Fraser said. "Depending on what happens with the economy, Texas is going to be one of the lucky ones."

Fraser said Texas has the most Fortune 500 companies in the nation.

"We've done a great job in education," he said. "Businesses want to go work where they have an educated work force."

Locally, Fraser said he was mostly pleased with the results from the 140-day meeting.

"Abilene and the whole Big Country had a very successful legislative session," he said.

Fraser authored a bill that passed, which allows Texas to sell bonds to cover hurricane damage costs, rather than having non-coastal residents pick up the costs.

Tuition equalization grants for church schools were passed, as well as the approval to move ahead with the construction of electric transmission lines for the wind farm in Taylor County.

"As you know there are two things we have a lot of here: wind and sun," he said. "Wind energy and solar energy have a very strong future. The more we can diversify our portfolio, it's very good for us."

A bill pushed by Fraser, promoting stronger voter identification requirements, passed in the Senate, but was edged out of discussion in the House.

"Unfortunately, the House sat on it too long," he said. "It amazes me that that particular issue is the one they would choose to stop. (Voting) is our most cherished act."